Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Review- Handmade to Sell: Hello Craft’s Guide to Owning, Running, and Growing Your Crafty Biz

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First you make stuff, then people say they love it and you make stuff for other people. The next step, sell it!  But how to do it? Well Handmade to Sell  is the book for you! It covers just about every aspect of selling the cool stuff you make! I read it cover to cover and the resources are positively amazing. It’s a case of you don’t even know what to look for but Handmade to Sell tells you about things you wouldn’t even know to ask about or think about! If you are thinking about getting into the biz or expanding what you already have going on I bet there will be some good info you can use to make great decisions about your crafty biz.

Handmade to Sell: Hello Craft’s Guide to Owning, Running, and Growing Your Crafty Biz

by

Kelly Rand, Christine Ernst, Sara Dick, Kimberly Dorn

More about the book from the publisher:

Business advice for enterprising crafters, by crafters
No one knows more about helping handmade businesses than Hello Craft, the nonprofit trade association for crafty entrepreneurs. Written by the directors of Hello Craft, Handmade to Sell is the most complete, up-to-date, and authoritative guide for DIYers seeking to learn every aspect of selling, marketing, and branding. Based on the Summit of Awesome, Hello Craft’s annual business conference, this book covers topics including:
• Developing successful product lines
• Copyrights and trademarks
• Taking perfect product shots
• Using analytics to boost your online sales
• Selling at fairs, shows, and other retail outlets
• Diversifying income through licensing and teaching
• Hiring and outsourcing
Throughout, you’ll find expert tips and invaluable strategies and advice from some of the most successful indie crafters and artisans. Whether you’ve only contemplated selling your crafts or want to grow an existing handmade business, Handmade to Sell offers essential guidance for anyone who has ever dreamed of making a living from what they create.

KELLY RAND is a cofounder and executive director of Hello Craft, a director of the Summit of Awesome, a Crafty Bastards organizer, and coeditor of CraftingaGreenWorld.com.
CHRISTINE ERNEST is Hello Craft’s communications director. SARA DICK is the CEO of Hello Craft and a director of the Crafty Bastards arts fair. KIMBERLY DORN is a cofounder of Crafty Bastards and Handmade Mart.

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Comments

  1. You might try to make a bookmark using cross-stitches and aida band for epxmale! Cross-stitching is very easy and this small things such as bookmarks should not take too long for you to make anyway!

Have you read?

How to Paint Melamine Furniture

Recently, we received an email from Jenny, one of our readers, asking for some advice on painting melamine furniture. Jenny was looking to refresh an old dresser but wasn’t sure about the right way to tackle the project. Well, we’ve got just the thing! After some digging, we came across a fantastic article on Spraypaint Blog titled How to Recycle and Paint Melamine Furniture, which walks you through the process step-by-step.

Why This Article is Perfect for Jenny (and You!)

This guide is incredibly comprehensive, covering everything you need to know about painting melamine—an often tricky material to work with. Melamine is known for its smooth, glossy surface, which can be tough to paint without the right preparation. But with the tips from this article, you’ll learn how to properly prep your melamine pieces, choose the right paint, and achieve a professional-looking finish.

The article also dives into the importance of sanding and priming the surface to ensure that the paint adheres well. With these steps, Jenny (and anyone else trying this project) can be sure that their painted melamine furniture will not only look great but last for years to come.

Jenny, we hope this article gives you all the info you need to tackle your melamine furniture project! It’s clear from the tutorial that a little prep work goes a long way, and with the right products, even melamine can be transformed into a beautiful, personalized piece.

For anyone else curious about painting melamine, check out the full article on Spraypaint Blog for all the tips and techniques: How to Recycle and Paint Melamine Furniture. Happy painting!

My Tips for Painting Melamine Furniture

Hey Jenny (and anyone else planning a melamine project), here are my top tips to help you get the best results when painting melamine furniture:

Prep is Key
Clean the surface well, then lightly sand it with fine-grit sandpaper to give the primer something to grip onto. Trust me, it makes a big difference!

Prime Like a Pro
Don’t skip the primer! Use a bonding primer that’s made for glossy surfaces or melamine. It’ll make sure your paint sticks and lasts.

Pick the Right Paint
Go for a good enamel or acrylic paint. I use a foam roller for a smooth finish—no brushstrokes! Apply a few thin coats, letting each one dry in between.

Topcoat for Durability
Once the paint’s dry, apply a protective topcoat (polyurethane or polycrylic) to help it stay scratch-free.

Give It Time
Let the paint cure for at least 48 hours before using the furniture—longer is even better! It’ll help the finish hold up over time.

Get Creative
Don’t be afraid to try fun colors or finishes! Melamine is perfect for getting a bit adventurous.